Date:         Tue, 10 Mar 2009 23:05:43 +0000
Reply-To:     Discussion of Topics for Soccer Referees
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Sender:       Discussion of Topics for Soccer Referees
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From:         doug smith <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      Re: 2009 USSF Directive - 'Free Kick and Restart Management'
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Perhaps we can clear up the apparent conflict by expanding on the second.

 

The instruction "Encourage the Kick by Verbally Managing Opponents Around the Ball to Prevent Interference" applies only until the moment the referee is prepared to allow the kicking team to take the kick - i.e., the ball is placed where the referee wants it.


Once the referee is satisified that everyone and everything is sufficiently in place for the kicking team to possibly take their kick (in spite of opponents' failure to respect the required distance), the referee should cease trying to manage the opponents' positioning, unless and until the kicking team asks for "10".
 

Doug Smith

USSF 06 USSF Instructor USSF Assessor

ex-NISOA  NF  Oregon

 
> Date: Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:53:43 -0500
> From: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: 2009 USSF Directive - 'Free Kick and Restart Management'
> To: [log in to unmask]
> 
> In the 2009 directive 'Free Kick and Restart Management' (http://images.ussoccer.com/Documents/cms/ussf/Free%20Kick%20and%20Restart%20Management.pdf), there is a recommended procedure that is somewhat at odds with USSF's October 23, 2008, 'Ask a Referee' answer.
> 
> In the latter, the question stated: "Two defending players are 6-7 yards from ball. The referee is encouraging them to retire. 'Get back, get back' with appropriate hand gesture. Quick kick is taken and a goal results. . . . . In this case should the goal be allowed or kick recalled? Did the referee involvement constitute indicating a ceremonial kick?" The answer stated, inter alia, "We feel that the referee's action did NOT constitute turning the free kick into a ceremony. His fussbudgety verbalizations were poor mechanics. Our advice: Do one thing (make it a ceremony and quickly declare that the kick may not be taken without a whistle) or the other (shut up), but not both."
> 
> But now, in the directive, the recommendation on a quick free kick is to "Encourage the Kick by Verbally Managing Opponents Around the Ball to Prevent Interference".
> 
> I had a similar situation last year in a U16 boys Division 2 game. With 5 minutes left in the game, the attacking team, down 2-1, was fouled 5 yards outside the corner of the penalty area. An attacker quickly placed the ball properly, and three defenders quickly formed a wall approximately ten yards from the ball. As I was backpedaling into position, I was watching the attacker, who clearly indicated by his actions and his silence that he wanted a quick free kick. Then a fourth defender slowly walks from behind the attacker towards his wall. Now I'm hamstrung. This late in the game and in the season, a caution is a small price to pay for turning a quick free kick into a carefully defended ceremonial one. On the other hand, if I do nothing, the quick free kick is also effectively denied. What I did was to say sharply to the fourth defender "Get Back!", whereupon the defender took one more step toward his wall and the attacker immediately blasted the ball into the upper far co!
> rner of the net, tying the game 2-2. The defending team protested (claiming that my verbalization made the kick ceremonial), the protest committee denied the protest, but (consistent with the USSF 10/23/2008 answer above) criticized my mechanics. 
> 
> Now maybe I was right after all.
> 
> Donn

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